Happy New Year, everybody. Sorry this took so long to come out. I hope it proves to be worth the wait!

Chapter 16

A few minutes later, X found himself touching down at an eerily familiar metallic wasteland overlooking a tower that looked just as decrepit. Of course, he'd caused most of that destruction in the first place. He didn't like reminding himself of that fact though, as his nightmares did the job just as well. Still, he forced himself to put on a brave face, if only to not alarm the boy trailing behind him.

"With any luck, nothing will happen and we can convince our friend to come back with us." I highly doubt that's gonna happen, he added in his head cynically.

"And if we're not?" There was a note of apprehension in Cody's voice that had been front and center since he had stepped up to the teleporter. Despite everyone's (excluding a still-unconscious Zack) assurances that X would have his back and there was little chance of anything going wrong considering the massive support system they had back at the base, that had apparently done little to calm his nerves. Then again, considering what his brother had just went through, it wasn't surprising.

Instead of answering, X urged him onwards. "Let's go. Watch my back."

The duo warily moved forward, narrowly dodging what lasers were still active, and destroying any stragglers that headed their way. Next up was the elevator.

"Watch it," X warned. "The spikes, such as they are, are still lethal."

"Really?" The blonde asked, bewildered. "How does that even work anyway? Aren't Reploids made of metal that's meant to resist small RPG fire?"

"You ask way too many questions," X responded, more focused on the mission than the boy's impromptu press conference. "Just keep moving."

It was indeed a tense few minutes as they narrowly dodged the now-jagged arrangements of spines that lowered as they went up.

On approaching the outer wall, they scaled their way up what were now rusting ladders to enter the final chamber. The last climb was done in complete silence, as there were no enemies in sight. In fact, there was little to see but the top floor that awaited them.

"How…how do you do all this?"

The Blue Bomber snapped at attention to his pupil's question. After all these years of combat, he still lacked an answer to that question. A real answer, that is.

"I fight for peace," he said simply, reading off his mental cue card.

"Peace? Just how common is this?!"

X hesitated, realizing what he was asking. This clearly wasn't a common thing where they were from, if it wasn't obvious before. The real dilemma came from deciding what to tell him that wouldn't mentally scar the kid for life.

"Very. You don't want to know the details." His tone was as stern and commanding as he could make it, and thankfully, it finally shut the curious boy up.

Cody hadn't even needed to be told to brace himself. While both were hoping for the best, they both also somehow knew that what awaited them wouldn't be nearly as easy as X had laid it out to be.

Meanwhile, the navigation room was abuzz with activity. Mainly, that activity involved keeping an eye on the active Blue Bombers running around. Alia kept her eyes on the screens and radar in front of her, while Bailey and Cali switched off configuring data, with the veteran offering help wherever she could, and all the while being peppered with inquiries about the boys' welfare. From what the navigator could tell, both of them were doing pretty well. X have been doing this for decades at this point, so she'd expected that he knew what he was doing. From what she could gather based mainly on eavesdropping on the duo's communications, the only real talking the two did was X issuing "heads up" advice, and Cody asking rather obvious questions, or at least question she would've considered obvious to ask considering the situation. Alia very much doubted that the tall blonde would actually get concrete answers, but she'd give him points for curiosity, if nothing else.

As she thought about this, she heard the automatic doors of the navigation room open. The three girls turned around to see Zero and Zack, apparently back fresh from a bit of training at the Base. While the former looked as neutral as he very often was between missions and training, the latter looked like he'd truly been put through the wringer. All she could say was, there was a reason why they didn't let Zero anywhere near the fresh recruits.

"Well, look who's back! How'd the training go?"

"Fine." Zero said abruptly.

"Fine?! You call redefining the word "torture" 'fine'?"

The swordsman rolled his eyes. "Oh, stop being a baby. Weren't you supposed be the athletic one?"

"Yeah. The key word is 'athletic'. I'm not a Marine."

Zero shook his head. "Please. Marines wish they could do this stuff." He paid the boy no more attention and changed the subject. "I'm guessing the girl and Axl are still out shooting?"

Bailey took the liberty of answering this time. "Yup. Those two left about the same time you picked up Zack and left. From what I heard, those two are still going at it. I don't think Axl's ever going to live this down."

"By the by… Whatever happened to Cody and X?" The shorter haired boyasked after a few seconds of looking around and not spotting either of them.

"They're out there dealing with Boomer Kuwanger," Alia supplied.

"They're what?"

Back in the field, the two hunters entered into a rather large and empty looking chamber, marked by various cracks and scattered amounts of rubble, which were created either from age or were the results of the Azure Hunter's last visit here.

The smart twin glanced at his mentor, and a steely glare community of the unspoken message of: "stay sharp". It didn't take long for the kid to feel another presence in the room. Cold and stealthy, it seemed to pass by and through him. They were clearly not alone. While he was already getting nervous himself, X didn't seem to flinch, didn't seem to move. Then again, Cody supposed, he probably been doing this longer than he was alive. He had no reason to be afraid.

"Long time, no see X."

the voice nearly sent the Ivy League hopeful into the ceiling, but X stayed still as stone.

"Likewise, Boomer." X unsheathed his arm cannon, not showing a hint of emotion.

Images of a stag beetle-esque creature decorated the walls and ceiling. Reflexively, the boy sent out his Buster, too dumbfounded by what he was seeing to get a lock on exactly what he was supposed to be focusing on.

"Hmm…so this is the boy you've been carting around. Could say I expected more."

Cody might've taken offense to that, but considering the situation, ignored in favor of the issue at hand. "Just what are you?"

The robot managed to chuckle despite lacking a mouth. "Man, you're green. Seriously X, why would you bring some rookie fresh off the lot into this? It doesn't sound like you. Then again, you always did have a thing for stragglers."

"How are you back in one piece? Who rebuilt you?"

Oh, come on, X. you can't seriously be that out of the loop. I know you. You're far from ignorant. You know exactly who rebuilt me. He's been real close, all this time.

"Sigma?!" He blurted out, practically on instinct at this point.

"Who?"

The next snicker was aimed specifically at Cody. "Wow. How long have you been living under a rock? Oh, well… I'm sure if you make it out of here in one piece, X will brief you on the whole thing."

"In one piece? What are you talking about? We came here to bring you back, right X?"

"Yes. It's pretty clear that he doesn't want to fight you," the veteran said in reference to his pupil. "Stand down."

"Now, now, X. You should know from experience that that's not how this is going to go. The guy who rebuilt me sent me here to test you, and see what that kid over there is made of. Enough talk. En garde, X!" With that, the fight began.

Next time, the battle begins proper. Be sure to review and tell me what you think, good or ill. All feedback is very much appreciated!